OT- Triple Bypass Questions

How soon can you get back to work, after the chest-split and bypass operation? Had mine about 6 weeks ago, and I feel real fine, but I wonder, you guys who have had this, how soon did you start to lift some weight, pull things, haul yourself up onto something?

What does doc say?

I was told 2 months but your ribs could still get sore after that. I had a stint put in my right main in late January and was back to work in 2 weeks. Was picking up hay that June.

Doc told me to take it easy for 3 months. The breast bone takes a while to fully heal. I live in the boonies so i went against his orders and did some drivin into town about 2 weeks after i got home. Dont be driving any steel posts for a while.

I gotta have my mitral valve repaired (I have low conpression on that cylinder I guess) gonna get it done in mid October so I am down when the chore load is lighter. My docs say no driving anything for six weeks. Figure I'll be back in action before the snow flies.

Quadruple bypass, (X4) employer said: don"t come
back for 3 months.

No drive for 6 weeks and at 3 months you will be very tired, walking will wear you out. Was 6 months after 5 bypasses till was well enough to get rotator cuff surgery. At about 9 months could start doing things and about a year till actually felt good and in talking to others they say a year.

My wife had quadruple bypass in 2003. Her employer, the University of Nebraska, gave family medical leave up to 12 weeks so she took the max. She said she could have gone back to work sooner, but they gave her 12 weeks so she took it.

She began driving, very carefully, after about two weeks. But, then, she's never been one to sit immobile.

I've had my back operated on, and an ulcer operated on, and both times the doctors involved said if you feel comfortable doing something, go ahead and do it. If you don't feel comfortable doing something, don't do it. Nothing like "14 days till you can walk up stairs" or anything.

I did have a couple of hernias fixed once, and the surgeon told me not to lift anything heavier than five pounds for two weeks. I was taking college classes at the time and I had textbooks that weighed more than that.

I had it and lucky me, also the heart damage, that comes when you had one 10days before and didn't know it. take it ez, you'll know the doc thinks u've made progress when he schedules a stress test. I was driving soon after and doing small things. you will tire easily and i recommend a scheduled nap daily. ballpark number is 90 days, give or take for resuming a somewhat normal life. if your someone whose drawn to extremes; get a handle on yourself, otherwise you'll be having setbacks all the time during recovery!

I had triple bypass 2 years ago. Had never had a heart attack and was in relatively good shape. Had led an active life. Just something showed up during stress test. After surgery, i was driving and doing choirs on farm in a month. But I also went thru cardiac rehab for couple months afterward ( one hour, 3 times a week). It all depends on the shape you are in going into the operation. My Doc said that those who come home and get lazy are the one who don't do well. Your Doc should be able to assess your condition and reccommend a recovery strategy. For me, it was just a month long speed bump.

Depends on how bad your heart was hurt. I had a major heart attack and it forever when I did get back after about 6 months I went NE for daughter graduation from college I almost died fom the altitude. Took another year or so to get backup. Then after a few years I had another episode with chest pain been up and down ever since. They put me on the last chance pill it works for me. It only works on about 10 out of 100 people so I'm very lucky. Your chest may hurt for ever or it may never hurt just depends on you. If I do any heavy work mine really hurts as bad as the heart attack was. It still sore down the middle after 17 years I was 57 when I had my heart attack. Now I'm 74 and really feel it. The number of bypasses doesn't matter it all depends on how much your heart was damaged, mine was hit pretty hard.
Take it easy until you feel up to doing more take your time exercise every day start slow and increase as you feel up to it.
Running is good but I have RA So I can't run used a stationary bike for quite awhile to get back up. At first could walk 100 ft. Without getting real bad. Don't do what others do, do what you can and Liston to your doctor.
Walt

I had a friend that had triple bypass last October and he is just now starting to do some work in the woodshop. Recovery time varies with the individual,what other health issues that they have, and what their condition was going into the surgery.

He was so short of breath when he finally went to the cardiologist, they took him right from the doctor's office and prepped him for bypass the next morning.

Around ten years ago I had a heart attack, it was no doubt to me what it was. I immediatly got my self over to the local hospital, they air lifted me to Duke University Medical Centre where I had quadurple bypass surgery. I was back at work in six weeks (light duty), hiked the New River Gorge about six weeks later. I made some significant changes, especially in my diet.

Hello FBH44,
You can get back to work when your doctor gives you a stress test and thumbs up.
Right now you should do is serious resting.
I'd say another 6 weeks and you will be pretty much healed. That is my wish for you.

Stay well.............Guido

Depends entirely on your condition before--what is normal for you, and how much damage the attack did to your heart (maybe none). Please, no flat tires for a while, ask for help if you get one. Probably about 3 weeks for light duty but don't go hunting with a 3 inch 10 gauge or a 375 magnum for a while.
KennyP, been there done that.